Augmented reality and/or virtual reality based e-vaping device vapor simulation systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A method, system, device, and/or non-transitory computer readable medium for generating an augmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) vapor simulation application, the device including a memory having stored thereon computer readable instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readable instructions to receive audio signals related to vaping of an e-vaping device from a microphone, determine the vaping characteristics of the vaping based on the audio signals, generate a vaping simulation based on the analyzed characteristics, and transmit the generated vaping simulation to the headset to be displayed on the display panel.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to methods, systems, apparatuses and/ornon-transitory computer readable media for providing an electronicvaping device (e-vaping device) vapor simulations and/or simulationapplications, and more specifically to methods, systems, apparatusesand/or non-transitory computer readable media for providing improvedaugmented reality (AR) and/or virtual reality (VR) vapor simulationapplications for use in conjunction with an electronic vaping device.

Description

Various techniques currently exist for producing augmented reality (AR)or virtual reality (VR) experiences using AR and/or VR devices, such asAR glasses or headsets, VR glasses or headsets, VR headsets where asmartphone may be loaded into the VR headset and provide the processingand/or display for the VR headset, etc. Additionally, electronic vapingdevices (e-vaping devices) are available that generate a vapor using apre-vapor formulation, a pre-dispersion formulation, etc.

Accordingly, various example embodiments are directed to a vaporsimulation system that provides for the visualization of vaporformations generated by an e-vaping device when an adult vaper wears anAR and/or VR device.

SUMMARY

At least one example embodiment relates to a device for generating avaping simulation. In at least one example embodiment, the deviceincludes a memory having stored thereon computer readable instructions,and at least one processor configured to execute the computer readableinstructions to receive audio signals related to vaping of an e-vapingdevice from a microphone, determine vaping characteristics of the vapingbased on the audio signals, generate a vaping simulation based on thedetermined vaping characteristics, and transmit the generated vapingsimulation to a headset to be displayed on a display panel included inthe headset.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isconfigured to execute the computer readable instructions to receivesensor information related to the vaping of the e-vaping device fromsensors of the e-vaping device, and the determining the vapingcharacteristics of the vaping is further based on the sensorinformation.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isconfigured to execute the computer readable instructions to determinespatial position information of the headset, the spatial positioninformation including field of view information associated with theheadset, and the generating the vaping simulation is further based onthe determined spatial position information.

In at least one example embodiment, the display panel is a screeninstalled in the headset.

In at least one example embodiment, the display panel is a screen of asmart device.

In at least one example embodiment, the display panel includes at leastone lens.

In at least one example embodiment, the headset includes a smart device,and the at least one processor and a memory are included in the smartdevice.

In at least one example embodiment, the received sensor informationincludes sensor information corresponding to a drawing of vapor from thee-vaping device, and the received audio signals includes audio signalscorresponding to ejection of the drawn vapor recorded by the microphone.

In at least one example embodiment, the determined vapingcharacteristics include at least one of vaping duration, vapor ejectionvelocity, vapor direction, vapor density, or vapor particle life.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isconfigured to execute the computer readable instructions to determinethe vaping characteristics by generating an audio spectrum of thevaping, normalizing the audio spectrum using a recorded audio spectrumwithout vaping audio signals, correlating the normalized audio spectrumto at least one template audio spectrum of a plurality of audiospectrums, and determining the vaping characteristics of the audiosignals based on the correlated normalized audio spectrum.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions todetermine vapor volume information and strength of ejection informationbased on the determined vaping characteristics.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions togenerate the vaping simulation by calculating a vapor model for thevaping simulation based on the determined vapor volume information, thedetermined strength of ejection information, and the determined vapingcharacteristics, calculating virtual coordinate information of thecalculated vapor model based on the determined vaping characteristicsand the determined spatial position information of the headset, thedetermined spatial position information including spatial positioninformation corresponding to a time when ejection of drawn vaporoccurred and spatial position information corresponding to a timesubsequent to the ejection of the drawn vapor, and generating the vapingsimulation using a particle engine based on the calculated vapor modeland the calculated virtual coordinate information.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions totransmit the generated vaping simulation to the headset by displayingthe generated vaping simulation in an augmented reality (AR) mode, theAR mode including superimposing the generated vaping simulation over theheadset's environment.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions totransmit the generated vaping simulation to the headset by displayingthe generated vaping simulation in a virtual reality (VR) mode, the VRmode including displaying the generated vaping simulation in a generatedvirtual environment.

Some example embodiments provide that the device includes at least oneof a Bluetooth sensor, a light sensor, a flow sensor, or a pressuresensor, that the at least one processor is further configured to receivedata from the at least one of the Bluetooth sensor, the light sensor,the flow sensor, or the pressure sensor, the received data indicating aduration of time that the e-vaping device is engaged, and the determinedvaping characteristics includes the received data.

Some example embodiments provide that the device includes a cameraconfigured to obtain an image of an adult vaper, and that the at leastone processor is further configured to receive the image of the adultvaper from the camera, determine an identity of the adult vaper based onthe received image, and load personalized vaping parameters based on thedetermined identity.

Some example embodiments provide that the device includes an olfactorystimulation device configured to produce an aroma or fragrance.

Some example embodiments provide that the olfactory stimulation deviceis configured to produce the aroma or the fragrance based onpersonalized vaping parameters.

At least one example embodiment relates to a system for generating avaping simulation. In at least one example embodiment, the systemincludes a headset including at least one display panel, a memory havingstored thereon computer readable instructions, and at least oneprocessor configured to execute the computer readable instructions toreceive audio signals related to vaping of an e-vaping device from amicrophone, determine vaping characteristics of the vaping based on theaudio signals and the sensor information, generate a vaping simulationbased on the determined vaping characteristics, and transmit thegenerated vaping simulation to a headset to be displayed on a displaypanel included in the headset.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions toreceive sensor information related to the vaping of the e-vaping devicefrom sensors of the e-vaping device, and the determining the vapingcharacteristics of the vaping is further based on the sensorinformation.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions todetermine spatial position information of the headset, the spatialposition information including field of view information associated withthe headset, and the generating the vaping simulation is further basedon the determined spatial position information.

In at least one example embodiment, the display panel is a screeninstalled in the headset.

In at least one example embodiment, the display panel is a screen of asmart device.

In at least one example embodiment, the display panel includes at leastone lens.

In at least some example embodiments, the headset includes the memoryand the at least one processor.

In at least some example embodiments, the headset includes a smartdevice, and the at least one processor and a memory are included in thesmart device.

Some example embodiments provide that the system includes at least onecomputer including the memory and the at least one processor, the atleast one computer connected to the headset over a network.

In at least some example embodiments, the received sensor informationincludes sensor information corresponding to a drawing of vapor from thee-vaping device, and the received audio signals include audio signalscorresponding to an ejection of the drawn vapor.

In at least some example embodiments, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions todetermine the vaping characteristics by generating an audio spectrum ofthe vaping, normalizing the audio spectrum using a recorded audiospectrum without vaping audio signals, correlating the normalized audiospectrum to at least one template audio spectrum of a plurality of audiospectrums, and determining the vaping characteristics of the audiosignals based on the correlated normalized audio spectrum.

In at least some example embodiments, the at least one processor isfurther configured to determine vapor volume information and strength ofejection information based on the determined vaping characteristics.

In at least some example embodiments, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions togenerate the vaping simulation by calculating a vapor model for thevaping simulation based on the determined vapor volume information, thedetermined strength of ejection information, and the determined vapingcharacteristics, calculating virtual coordinate information of thecalculated vapor model based on the determined vaping characteristicsand the determined spatial position information of the headset, thedetermined spatial information including spatial position informationcorresponding to a time when ejection of drawn vapor occurred andspatial position information corresponding to a time subsequent to theejection of the drawn vapor, and generating the vaping simulation usinga particle engine based on the calculated vapor model and the calculatedvirtual coordinate information.

In at least some example embodiments, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions totransmit the generated vaping simulation to the headset by displayingthe generated vaping simulation in an augmented reality (AR) mode, theAR mode including superimposing the generated vaping simulation over theheadset's environment.

In at least some example embodiments, the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions totransmit the generated vaping simulation to the headset by displayingthe generated vaping simulation in a virtual reality (VR) mode, the VRmode including displaying the generated vaping simulation in a generatedvirtual environment.

Some example embodiments provide that the system includes at least oneof a Bluetooth sensor, a light sensor, a flow sensor, or a pressuresensor, the at least one processor is further configured to receive datafrom the at least one of the Bluetooth sensor, the light sensor, theflow sensor, or the pressure sensor, the received data indicating aduration of time that the e-vaping device is engaged, and the determinedvaping characteristics includes the received data.

Some example embodiments provide that the system includes a cameraconfigured to obtain an image of an adult vaper, and the at least oneprocessor is further configured to receive the image of the adult vaperfrom the camera, determine an identity of the adult vaper based on thereceived image, and load personalized vaping parameters based on thedetermined identity.

Some example embodiments provide that the system includes an olfactorystimulation device configured to produce an aroma or fragrance.

In some example embodiments, the olfactory stimulation device isconfigured to produce the aroma or the fragrance based on personalizedvaping parameters.

At least one example embodiment relates to a method for generating avaping simulation. In at least one example embodiment, the methodincludes receiving, using at least one processor, audio signals relatedto vaping of an e-vaping device from a microphone, determining, usingthe at least one processor, vapor characteristics of the vaping based onthe audio signals and the sensor information, generating, using the atleast one processor, a vaping simulation based on the determined vapingcharacteristics, and transmitting the generated vaping simulation to aheadset to be displayed on a display panel included in the headset.

In at least one example embodiment, the method further includesreceiving, using the at least one processor, sensor information relatedto the vaping of the e-vaping device from sensors of the e-vapingdevice, and the determining the vaping characteristics of the vaping isfurther based on the sensor information.

In at least one example embodiment, the method includes determining,using the at least one processor, spatial position information of theheadset, the spatial position information including field of viewinformation associated with the headset, and the generating the vapingsimulation is further based on the determined spatial positioninformation.

In at least one example embodiment, the headset includes a smart device,and the at least one processor and a memory are included in the smartdevice.

In at least one example embodiment, the determining the vapingcharacteristics includes generating an audio spectrum of the vaping,normalizing the audio spectrum using a recorded audio spectrum withoutvaping audio signals, correlating the normalized audio spectrum to atleast one template audio spectrum of a plurality of audio spectrums, anddetermining the vaping characteristics of the audio signals based on thecorrelated normalized audio spectrum.

Some example embodiments provide that the method includes determining,using the at least one processor, vapor volume information and strengthof ejection information based on the determined vaping characteristics.

In at least one example embodiment, the generating the vaping simulationincludes calculating a vapor model for the vaping simulation based onthe determined vapor volume information, the determined strength ofejection information, and the determined vaping characteristics,calculating virtual coordinate information of the calculated vapor modelbased on the determined vaping characteristics and the determinedspatial position information of the headset, the determined spatialposition information including spatial position informationcorresponding to a time when ejection of drawn vapor occurred andspatial position information corresponding to a time subsequent to theejection of the drawn vapor, and generating the vaping simulation usinga particle engine based on the calculated vapor model and the calculatedvirtual coordinate information.

In at least one example embodiment, the transmitting the generatedvaping simulation to the headset includes displaying the generatedvaping simulation in an augmented reality (AR) mode, the AR modeincluding superimposing the generated vaping simulation over theheadset's environment.

In at least one example embodiment, the transmitting the generatedvaping simulation to the headset includes displaying the generatedvaping simulation in a virtual reality (VR) mode, the VR mode includingdisplaying the generated vaping simulation in a generated virtualenvironment.

Some example embodiments provide that the method includes receiving,using the at least one processor, data from at least one of a Bluetoothsensor, a light sensor, a flow sensor, and a pressure sensor, thereceived data indicating a duration of time that the e-vaping device isengaged, and the determined vaping characteristics includes the receiveddata.

Some example embodiments provide that the method includes receiving,using the at least one processor, the image of the adult vaper from acamera, determining, using the at least one processor, an identity ofthe adult vaper based on the received image, and loading, using the atleast one processor, personalized vaping parameters based on thedetermined identity.

Some example embodiments provide that the method includes producing,using the at least one processor, an aroma or fragrance through anolfactory stimulation device based on the personalized vapingparameters.

At least one example embodiment relates to a non-transitory computerreadable medium including computer readable instructions. In at leastone example embodiment, when at least one processor executes thecomputer readable instructions, the at least one processor is caused toreceive audio signals related to vaping of an e-vaping device from amicrophone, determine vaping characteristics of the vaping based on theaudio signals, generate a vaping simulation based on the determinedvaping characteristics, and transmit the generated vaping simulation toa headset to be displayed on a display panel included in the headset.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one processor isfurther caused to receive sensor information related to the vaping ofthe e-vaping device from sensors of the e-vaping device, and thedetermining the vaping characteristics of the vaping is further based onthe sensor information.

In at least on example embodiment, the at least one processor is furthercaused to determine spatial position information of the headset, thespatial position information including field of view informationassociated with the headset, and the generating the vaping simulation isfurther based on the determined spatial position information.

In at least one example embodiment, the headset includes a smart device,and the at least one processor and a memory are included in the smartdevice.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will be described in more detail with regard to thefigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe various figures unless otherwise specified, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for generating a vapor simulation using asimulation device according to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for generating a vapor simulation using adedicated computing device according to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to at least oneexample embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along line IIIB-IIIB of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 3A, according to at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for generating at least one audio signatureassociated with an adult vaper according to at least one exampleembodiment.

FIG. 5A illustrates a method for generating a vapor simulation accordingto at least one example embodiment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a method for analyzing audio signals related to thedrawn vapor to determine vapor characteristics related to the ejectionof drawn vapor according to at least one example embodiment.

FIGS. 6A to 6J illustrate various example functions used to calculatevapor particle characteristics according to some example embodiments.

FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate examples of an AR environment and VRenvironment with generated 3D vapor particle model superimposed on astereoscopic display, according to some example embodiments.

FIGS. 8A to 8F illustrate example waveforms associated with the methodsof FIGS. 4 and 5B according to some example embodiments.

It should be noted that these figures are intended to illustrate thegeneral characteristics of methods and/or structure utilized in certainexample embodiments and to supplement the written description providedbelow. These drawings are not, however, to scale and may not preciselyreflect the precise structural or performance characteristics of anygiven embodiment, and should not be interpreted as defining or limitingthe range of values or properties encompassed by example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more example embodiments will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments, however,may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construedas being limited to only the illustrated embodiments. Rather, theillustrated embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will convey the concepts of thisdisclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, known processes,elements, and techniques, may not be described with respect to someexample embodiments. Unless otherwise noted, like reference charactersdenote like elements throughout the attached drawings and writtendescription, and thus descriptions will not be repeated.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., may be used hereinto describe various elements, regions, layers, and/or sections, theseelements, regions, layers, and/or sections, should not be limited bythese terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element,region, layer, or section, from another region, layer, or section. Thus,a first element, region, layer, or section, discussed below may betermed a second element, region, layer, or section, without departingfrom the scope of this disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will beunderstood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition tothe orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below,” “beneath,” or“under,” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” theother elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under”may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Inaddition, when an element is referred to as being “between” twoelements, the element may be the only element between the two elements,or one or more other intervening elements may be present.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, and/orelements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or groups,thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressionssuch as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify theentire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of thelist. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example orillustration.

When an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupledto,” or “adjacent to,” another element, the element may be directly on,connected to, coupled to, or adjacent to, the other element, or one ormore other intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”“directly coupled to,” or “immediately adjacent to,” another element,there are no intervening elements present.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and/or this disclosure, and should notbe interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expresslyso defined herein.

Example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolicrepresentations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flowdiagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.)that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devicesdiscussed in more detail below. Although discussed in a particularmanner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may beperformed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flowdiagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as beingperformed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performedsimultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order.

Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments may beimplemented using hardware, or a combination of hardware and software.For example, hardware devices may be implemented using processingcircuitry such as, but not limited to, a processor, Central ProcessingUnit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digitalsignal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array(FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, amicroprocessor, or any other device capable of responding to andexecuting instructions in a defined manner.

Software may include a computer program, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructingor configuring a hardware device to operate as desired. The computerprogram and/or program code may include program or computer-readableinstructions, software modules, data files, data structures, and/or thelike, capable of being implemented by one or more hardware devices, suchas one or more of the hardware devices mentioned above.

For example, when a hardware device is a computer processing device(e.g., a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, anarithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, amicrocomputer, a microprocessor, etc.), the computer processing devicemay be configured to carry out program code by performing arithmetical,logical, and input/output operations, according to the program code.Once the program code is loaded into a computer processing device, thecomputer processing device may be programmed to perform the programcode, thereby transforming the computer processing device into a specialpurpose computer processing device. In a more specific example, when theprogram code is loaded into a processor, the processor becomesprogrammed to perform the program code and operations correspondingthereto, thereby transforming the processor into a special purposeprocessor.

Software and/or data may be embodied permanently or temporarily in anytype of machine, element, physical or virtual equipment, or computerstorage medium or device, capable of providing instructions or data to,or being interpreted by, a hardware device. The software also may bedistributed over network coupled computer systems so that the softwareis stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In particular, forexample, software and data may be stored by one or more computerreadable recording mediums, including the tangible or non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media discussed herein.

According to one or more example embodiments, computer processingdevices may be described as including various functional units thatperform various operations and/or functions to increase the clarity ofthe description. However, computer processing devices are not intendedto be limited to these functional units. For example, in one or moreexample embodiments, the various operations and/or functions of thefunctional units may be performed by a combined functional unit, or maybe performed by different functional units than the units discussedherein. Further, the computer processing devices may perform theoperations and/or functions of the various functional units withoutsub-dividing the operations and/or functions of the computer processingunits into these various functional units.

Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments mayalso include one or more storage devices. The one or more storagedevices may be tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storagemedia, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), apermanent mass storage device (such as a disk drive), solid state (e.g.,NAND flash) device, and/or any other like data storage mechanism capableof storing and recording data. The one or more storage devices may beconfigured to store data, such as input and/or output data, computerprograms, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, forone or more operating systems and/or for implementing the exampleembodiments described herein. The computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, may also be loaded from aseparate computer readable storage medium into the one or more storagedevices and/or one or more computer processing devices using a drivemechanism. Such separate computer readable storage medium may include aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, a memory stick, aBlu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and/or other like computerreadable storage media. The computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one ormore storage devices and/or the one or more computer processing devicesfrom a remote data storage device via a network interface, rather thanvia a local computer readable storage medium. Additionally, the computerprograms, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, maybe loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or the one or moreprocessors from a remote computing system that is configured to transferand/or distribute the computer programs, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, over a network. The remote computing systemmay transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wired interface, an airinterface, and/or any other like medium.

The one or more hardware devices, the one or more storage devices,and/or the computer programs, program code, instructions, or somecombination thereof, may be specially designed and constructed for thepurposes of the example embodiments, or they may be known devices thatare altered and/or modified for the purposes of example embodiments.

A hardware device, such as a computer processing device, may run anoperating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run onthe OS. The computer processing device also may access, store,manipulate, process, and create data in response to execution of thesoftware. For simplicity, one or more example embodiments may beexemplified as one computer processing device; however, one skilled inthe art will appreciate that a hardware device may include multipleprocessing elements and multiple types of processing elements. Forexample, a hardware device may include multiple processors or aprocessor and a controller. In addition, other processing configurationsare possible, such as parallel processors.

Although described with reference to specific examples and drawings,modifications, additions and substitutions of example embodiments may bevariously made according to the description by those of ordinary skillin the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in anorder different with that of the methods described, and/or elements suchas the described system, architecture, devices, circuit, and the like,may be connected or combined to be different from the above-describedmethods, or results may be appropriately achieved by other elements orequivalents.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for generating a vapor simulation using asimulation device according to at least one example embodiment. Thevapor simulation system 100 includes one or more encoded e-vapingdevices 200, one or more simulation devices 300 (e.g., a wearable orother type of simulation device), and/or one or more olfactory devices400. According to some example embodiments, the system may also includeone or more servers (not shown), such as a cloud server, or platformserver that may be connected to the e-vaping device 200, simulationdevice 300, and/or olfactory device 400 via a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network, such as the Internet, an intranet, a wide areanetwork, a local area network, a personal area network, etc. While asingle e-vaping device 200, a single simulation device 300, and a singleolfactory device 400 are illustrated in FIG. 1, the example embodimentsare not limited thereto and there may be a greater or lesser number ofeach individual element in the system and/or other additional elementsincluded in the system according to other example embodiments. Forexample, according to some example embodiments, the olfactory device 400may be omitted from the vapor simulation system.

According to various example embodiments, the e-vaping device 200 may bean electronic vaping device that is configured to heat a substance(e.g., a pre-vapor formulation, dry herbs, essential oils, etc.) and/orvaporize the substance in order to produce a vapor that is drawn by anadult vaper The substance may be a material or combination of materialsthat may be transformed into a vapor, such as a liquid, solid and/or gelformulation including, but not limited to, water, beads, solvents,active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificialflavors, and/or vapor formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol. Thehousing of the e-vaping device 200 may take any form, such as atube-like housing, a pipe-shaped housing, a cartridge-shaped housing,etc. In addition, the e-vaping device may include various sensors, suchas a wireless transmitter (e.g., a Bluetooth transmitter), a microphone,a puff sensor, a flow sensor, a pressure sensor, etc., and/orinput/output (I/O) indicators, such as a heater activation light, etc.,that may provide information regarding the time at which the adult vaperhas started and stopped the drawing of vapor from the e-vaping device200, the start and stop of the heater activation and/or the heating ofthe substance, the amount of vapor produced by the e-vaping device, theamount of vapor drawn from the e-vaping device, etc. For example,according to at least one example embodiment, the e-vaping device 200may include a Bluetooth transmitter (e.g., Bluetooth and/or BluetoothLow Energy (LE), etc.), or other wired and/or wireless transmitter(e.g., USB, NFC, ZigBee, WiFi, etc.), that communicates with a computingdevice, such as the simulation device 300, or a dedicated vaporsimulator device, etc., the time that the adult vaper has engaged theheater of the e-vaping device (e.g., through the engagement of a ON/OFFbutton or by starting a puff, etc.), the time that the adult vaper hasdisengaged the heater of the e-vaping device (e.g., through thedisengagement of the ON/OFF button, or by ending a puff, etc.), thegenerated vapor flow volume (e.g., determined based on readings from thepuff sensor, pressure sensor, and/or flow sensor), the generated vaporflow rate, etc. According to some example embodiments, one or more ofthe sensors may be integrated into the e-vaping device and/or one ormore of the sensors may be connected to the e-vaping device via a wiredand/or wireless connection (e.g., USB, Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, WiFi,etc.).

Additionally, the e-vaping device 200 may act as a beacon, e.g., via aBluetooth transmitter and/or other wireless transmitter, that maytransmit various information to one or more simulation device 300, adedicated vapor simulator device, other e-vaping devices, etc., in orderto provide social media interactivity and/or messaging. For example, thee-vaping device 200 may transmit, periodically and/or at a desired time,information related to the e-vaping device, such as the manufacturerand/or brand of the e-vaping device, information related to thepre-vapor formulation currently stored in the e-vaping device (e.g.,brand name of the pre-vapor formulation, flavor information, fillamount/amount remaining, etc.), puff count, status of the adult vaper,information related to the adult vaper (e.g., the adult vaper'sage-verification status, adult vaper identity, adult vaper loyaltyprogram ID, adult vaper social media account username, adult vaper,adult vaper vaping preferences, adult vaper advertising preferences,adult vaper social media preferences, etc.), etc. The beacon informationthat is transmitted by the e-vaping device 200 may be received by areceiving device, such as the simulation device 300, other simulationdevices (e.g., simulation devices operated by other adult vapers),special purpose information receivers that may be installed in variouslocations, such as stores, restaurants, an adult vaper's home, an adultvaper's vehicle, etc. The beacon information may then be used by thereceiving device to enable various functionality, such as permittingsocial interaction between various adult vapers (e.g., generating an“avatar” of the adult vaper to be displayed in another adult vaper'svapor simulation device based on the information associated with theadult vaper and/or the adult vaper's e-vaping device, such as generatinga physical representation of the adult vaper from photos and/or imagesstored in a cloud network associated with the adult vaper's account nameand/or adult vaper loyalty program ID, etc.), enabling the adult vaperswithin beacon transmitter range to exchange messages via the simulationdevices, enabling the receiving devices to download the adult vaper'spreferences and provide specialized and/or programmed functionalitybased on the downloaded preferences (e.g., changing the room settings,such as lighting levels, music and/or TV sound levels, etc.). Moreover,the beacon information may be used to provide targeted advertisingand/or offers to the adult vaper from the proprietor of the receivingdevice. For example, if the receiving device is associated with ane-vaping supply store, the receiving device may perform age verificationof the adult vaper based on the received beacon information, and if theadult vaper is age verified, may determine whether the adult vaper'sprivacy preferences allow for the transmission of targeted advertisingand/or offers, and then may transmit targeted advertising and/orpromotions to the adult vaper via the vapor simulation device, the adultvaper's phone, email, etc. The targeted advertising and/or promotionsmay include coupons and/or offers related to the e-vaping device thatthe adult vaper operates, the pre-vapor formulation that the adult vapervapes, the fill level of the e-vaping device, directions to the e-vapingsupply store, allow for the online purchase of various e-vaping devicerelated supplies, etc.

According to various example embodiments, the e-vaping device 200 may beconnected to a simulation device 300 via a wireless and/or wiredcommunication connection (e.g., Internet connection, Wi-Fi connection,Bluetooth connection, USB connection, etc.). According to at least oneexample embodiment, the simulation device 300 may have a headset formfactor, eyeglass form factor, and/or any other visual aid form factorthat may be worn by an adult vaper and will provide visual stimuli tothe adult vaper's eyes. In other example embodiments, the simulationdevice 300 may be an immersive visual system, such as a large or ultralarge screen display system, a projector system, and/or other visuallyimmersive display system. According to some example embodiments, thesimulation device 300 may be an augmented reality (AR) device, a virtualreality (VR) device, a combination AR/VR device, and/or any other devicecapable of providing an AR experience or VR experience in connectionwith an e-vaping device. According to some example embodiments, thesimulation device 300 may include at least one processor 310, acommunication bus 315, and a memory 320. The memory 320 may include athree-dimensional (3D) vapor simulator routine 321, a particle generatorroutine 322, an AR simulator 323, and/or a VR simulator 324, etc.However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, and accordingto some example embodiments, one or more of the 3D vapor simulatorroutine 321, the particle generator routine 322, the AR simulator 323,and the VR simulator 324 may be combined into one or more routines, forexample, the 3D vapor simulator routine 321 may include the particlegenerator routine 322, the AR simulator 323, and/or the VR simulator324, etc. The 3D vapor simulator routine 321, the particle generatorroutine 322, the AR simulator 323, and the VR simulator 324 will bediscussed in more detail in connection with FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B.

In at least one example embodiment, the processor 310 may be at leastone processor (and/or processor cores, distributed processors, networkedprocessors, etc.), which may be configured to control one or moreelements of the simulation device 300. The processor 310 is configuredto execute processes by retrieving program code (e.g., computer readableinstructions) and data from the memory 320 to process them, therebyexecuting control and functions of the entire simulation device 300.Once the program instructions are loaded into the processor 310, theprocessor 310 executes the program instructions, thereby transformingthe processor 310 into a special purpose processor.

In at least one example embodiment, the memory 320 may be anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium and may include a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or a permanent massstorage device such as a disk drive, a solid state drive, etc. Stored inthe memory 320 are computer readable instructions (e.g., program code)for the 3D vapor simulator routine 321, the particle generator routine322, the AR simulator 323, and/or the VR simulator 324, etc.Additionally, the memory 320 may store additional data (not shown) foruse with the stored program code, such as adult vaper profile data,sensor information, program setting data, e-vaping device data, etc.Such software elements may be loaded from a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium independent of the memory 320, using adrive mechanism (not shown) connected to the simulation device 300through a wired communication interface 380 via a wired communicationprotocol, such as Ethernet, USB, FireWire, eSATA, ExpressCard,Thunderbolt, etc. In other example embodiments, software elements may beloaded onto the memory 320 through the wireless transmitter 330 via awireless communication protocol, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near-FieldCommunications (NFC), Infra-Red (IR) communications, RFIDcommunications, 3G, 4G LTE, etc.

In at least one example embodiment, the communication bus 315 may enablecommunication and data transmission to be performed between elements ofthe simulation device 300. The bus 315 may be implemented using ahigh-speed serial bus, a parallel bus, and/or any other appropriatecommunication technology.

The simulation device 300 may also include a wireless transmitter 330and/or a wired communication interface 380. The wireless transmitter 330and/or the wired communication interface 380 may enable the processor310 to communicate with and/or transfer data to/from the e-vaping device200 and/or other computing devices (not shown), such as a server, apersonal computer (PC), a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a gamingdevice, etc. Examples of data transferred between the processor 310 andthe e-vaping device 200 may include profile data related to one or moreadult vapers, software updates to the 3D vapor simulator routine 321,the particle generator routine 322, the AR simulator 323, and/or the VRsimulator 324, configuration data, etc.

In at least one example embodiment, the wireless transmitter 330 and/orthe wired communication interface 380 may be computer hardware elementsfor connecting the e-vaping device to one or more computer networks(e.g., the Internet, an Intranet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a LocalArea Network (LAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a CellularCommunication Network, a Data Network, etc.) and/or one or more externalcomputing devices (e.g., a PC, a server, a database, a laptop computer,a smartphone, a tablet, other smart devices, an Internet-of-Things (TOT)device, a gaming console, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc.).

The simulation device 300 may also include various input/output (I/O)devices, such as a microphone 340, sensors 350 (e.g., gyroscopes,accelerometers, GPS sensors, other position and location sensors,altitude sensors, pressure sensors, etc.), a camera 360, etc. The I/Odevices may be integrated into the simulation device 300, external tothe simulation device 300 and connected to the simulation device 300 viaa wired and/or wireless connection, etc. Additionally, the simulationdevice 300 may also include a display 370 (and/or projector, etc.) toprovide an AR or VR vapor simulation experience to the adult vaper basedon information collected from the e-vaping device 200 and associatedsensors. The display 370 may be one or more display screens (and/ordisplay lenses, etc.) that provide one or more image to be viewed by theadult vaper. For example, the one or more images may be stereoscopic,lenticular, etc., images corresponding to the adult vaper's left andright eyes that are displayed on the display 370 through two separatelenses corresponding to the adult vaper's left and right eyes, or asingle display 370 that is partitioned such that the image correspondingto the left eye and the image corresponding to the right eye merge andappear to be a single coherent image. According to some exampleembodiments, the display 370 may be provided by another device, such asa smartphone, a tablet, etc., that is connected to and/or integratedinto, the simulation device 300. For example, the AR or VR vaporsimulation may simulate a vapor ejection cloud on the display 370 of thesimulation device 300, even if no vapor ejection cloud was physicallyformed. Further, the vapor simulation may provide the vapor ejectioncloud as an overlay to the adult vaper's actual environment, such as theroom that the adult vaper is located in, etc., when the simulationdevice 300 is operated as an AR headset and/or AR glasses, or may beprovided in a generated 3D VR environment when the simulation device 300is operated as a VR headset. The vapor simulation may be accompanied byaromas produced by an olfactory device 400 in some example embodiments.

Further, according to some example embodiments, an olfactory device 400may be connected via the wired communication interface 380 and/or thewireless transmitter 330, or may be integrated into the simulationdevice 300. The olfactory device 400 may include a spray jet, a heater,a capsule system, and/or other aroma producing method, such that theolfactory device 400 may produce an aroma based on instructions from theprocessor 310. The olfactory device 400 may use perfumes, liquids, gels,herbs, chemical mixtures that represent aromas of natural products suchas tobacco, etc., that may be released, projected, heated, etc., toproduce one or more desired aromas based on adult vaper preferencesettings, and/or may be connected to the AR or VR experience beingprojected to the adult vaper. For example, if the adult vaper ispresented with a virtual beach environment, the olfactory device 400 mayproduce aromas that are reminiscent of a beach environment, such assaltwater aromas, sand aromas, etc. As another example, the adult vapermay set preference data in his or her adult vaper profile that indicatesthat the adult vaper enjoys the aroma of specific tobacco products, suchas a particular cigarette or cigar brand, and the olfactory device 400may produce an aroma evocative of the desired cigarette or cigar brand.

Moreover, the simulation device 300 may also include harnesses, straps,bracing, support, etc., that allows the adult vaper to attach thesimulation device 300 to the adult vaper's head, face, eyes, etc.According to some example embodiments, the simulation device 300 mayinclude a battery to power the simulation device 300 (and/or charge thee-vaping device) so that the adult vaper may move freely in his or herenvironment. In other example embodiments, the simulation device 300 maybe powered using a wired connection to an electrical outlet. Moreover,one or more components of the simulation device 300, such as theprocessor 310, the bus 315, the memory 320 (including, e.g., the vaporsimulator routine 321, particle generator routine 322, AR simulator 323,and/or VR simulator 324, etc.), the wireless transmitter 330, themicrophone 340, the sensors 350, the camera 360, the display 370, thewired communication interface 380, etc., may be provided by at least oneseparate device, such as a smartphone or other portable sized computingdevice, expansion card, etc., and may be connected to and/or docked tothe simulation device 300, such that the separate device becomes a partof the simulation device 300. For example, the separate device may be asmartphone that provides the processor 310, the bus 315, the memory 320,the wireless transmitter 330, the microphone 340, sensors 350 oradditional sensors, the camera 360, the display 370, and/or the wiredcommunication interface 380, etc., and is inserted into and/or attachedto the simulation device 300. As another example, the separate devicemay provide one or more additional components to be used with thecomponents of the simulation device 300, such as additional processors,additional memory, additional display, additional sensors, additionalcameras, additional microphones, additional communication interfaces,etc., for use with existing components of the simulation device 300.

While FIG. 1 depicts an example embodiment of a vapor simulation systemincluding an e-vaping device, the vapor simulation system is not limitedthereto, and may include additional and/or alternative architecturesthat may be suitable for the purposes demonstrated. For example, thevapor simulation system may include a plurality of additional oralternative elements, such as additional processing devices, interfaces,and memories.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system for generating a vapor simulation using adedicated computing device according to at least one example embodiment.In various example embodiments, the vapor simulation system 110 mayinclude at least one e-vaping device 200, a wearable simulation device300, an olfactory device 400, and/or a vapor simulator 500, but is notlimited thereto. Description of components in the vapor simulationsystem 110 that are the same as components described in connection toFIG. 1 will be partially or completely omitted and the components may beassumed to the same or substantially similar characteristics and/oroperation as the components described in connection with FIG. 1.Differences in some example embodiments between the vapor simulationsystem 100 and the vapor simulation system 110 will be described below.

According to at least one example embodiment, the vapor simulator 500may include at least one processor 510, a communication bus 515, atleast one memory 520, a wireless transmitter 530, a wired communicationinterface 580, and/or input/output (I/O) devices 550, but is not limitedthereto. The memory 520 may include a three-dimensional (3D) vaporsimulator routine 521 and/or a particle generator routine 522, but isnot limited thereto. The memory 320 of the simulation device 300 mayinclude the AR simulator routine 323, and/or the VR simulator routine324, etc. However, the example embodiments are not limited thereto, andfor example, the memory 520 of the vapor simulator 500 may store the 3Dvapor simulator routine 521, the particle generator routine 522, the ARsimulator routine 323, and the VR simulator routine 324 and may transmitthe necessary real-time data to support the display of the AR simulationand/or the VR simulation by the simulation device 300. The vaporsimulator 500 may pre-generate the 2D and 3D VR environments andtransmit the VR environments to the simulation device 300 according tosome example embodiments.

Moreover, due to various restraints (e.g., battery life, processingpower, memory constraints, display screen resolutions, heat generationissues, etc.) related to the use of the simulation device 300 withregards to system 100, particularly in regards to the real-timecollection of data regarding the drawing and ejection operation by theadult vaper, the real-time processing of the 3D vapor simulation and theparticle generation, and the real-time AR simulation and VR simulation,the visual quality of the AR simulation and/or the VR simulation of thesystem 100 may be improved upon. Accordingly, in vapor simulation system110, some or all of the AR and/or VR processing may be off-loaded andperformed by a dedicated computing device, such as the vapor simulator500. The vapor simulator 500 may be a PC, a laptop, a server, a gamingconsole, a distributed computing system, a cloud processing system, asmartphone, a tablet, etc., that has the greater processing capabilityand memory storage capability than the simulation device 300 alone. Thevapor simulator 500 may connect to the simulation device 300 via a wiredand/or wireless connection using the wireless transmitter 530 and/or thewired communication interface 580, and may be located in the samephysical location as the simulation device 300, or may be located in adifferent physical location. Additionally, the vapor simulator 500 mayalso include one or more I/O devices 550, such as a keyboard, mouse,microphone, speakers, display screen, projector, sensors, cameras, etc.,and/or be connected to one or more I/O devices 550 via a wired and/orwireless connection, that may be used to perform the calculationsnecessary for the AR and/or VR simulations. For example, the vaporsimulator may be used to perform calibration of the vapor simulationsystem (e.g., 100 or 110), by recording and measuring the adult vaper(and/or test adult vapers) vaping with an e-vaping device and creatingan audio signature and/or template of the vapor ejection characteristicsof the adult vaper. This information and/or data may be loaded onto theadult vaper's personal profile for use with the vaping simulation.Additionally, other adult vaper preferences may be loaded onto thepersonal profile, such as selection of pre-generated and or adult vapergenerated 3D VR environments, olfactory preferences, social mediaaccount information, social media sharing preferences, contactinformation for friends of the adult vaper, AR and/or VR graphicspreferences, etc.

According to some example embodiments, the personal profile data of theadult vaper may be selected using the camera 360 of the simulationdevice 300, or an external camera associated with the vapor simulator500 (not shown), and capturing at least one image of the adult vaper andverifying the identity of the adult vaper based on the captured image(e.g., using facial recognition of the adult vaper, etc.). Additionally,other adult vaper specific biometric information may be used to verifythe adult vaper's identity, such as a fingerprint scanner, voiceidentification, retina identification, etc., and/or a username andpassword, PIN code, etc., may be used to verify the adult vaper'sidentity. Once the adult vaper's identity has been verified, thepersonal profile information of the adult vaper may be loaded into thevapor simulator 500 and/or the simulation device 300. Moreover, theadult vaper identity verification functions may also be used to performage verification of the adult vaper and ensure that the adult vaper islegally permitted to operate the e-vaping device 200 and/or thesimulation device 300. If the age verification and/or identityverification fail, the adult vaper may be blocked from operating thee-vaping device 200 and/or the simulation device 300 by a command sentby the vapor simulator 500 and/or the simulation device 300.

While FIG. 2 depicts an example embodiment of a vapor simulation systemincluding an e-vaping device and a vapor simulator, the vapor simulationsystem is not limited thereto, and may include additional and/oralternative architectures that may be suitable for the purposesdemonstrated. For example, the simulation device 300 and/or the vaporsimulator 500 may include a plurality of additional or alternativeelements, such as additional processing devices, interfaces, andmemories.

FIG. 3A is a side view of an e-vaping device according to at least oneexample embodiment. In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG.3A, an electronic vaping device (e-vaping device) 60 may include areplaceable cartridge (or first section) 70 and a reusable batterysection (or second section) 72, which may be coupled together at athreaded connector 205. It should be appreciated that the connector 205may be any type of connector, such as a snug-fit, detent, clamp,bayonet, and/or clasp, etc. The first section 70 may include a housing 6and the second section 72 may include a second housing 6′. The e-vapingdevice 60 includes a mouth-end insert 8. The end (i.e., tip) of thehousing 6 where the mouth-end insert 8 is positioned may be referred toas the “mouth-end” or “proximal-end” of the e-vaping device 60. Theopposite end of the e-vaping device 60 on the second housing 6′ may bereferred to as the “connection-end,” “distal-end,” “battery-end” or“front tip” of the e-vaping device 60.

In at least one example embodiment, the housing 6 and the second housing6′ may have a generally cylindrical cross-section, but is not limitedthereto. In other example embodiments, the housings 6, 6′ may have agenerally triangular cross-section along one or more of the firstsection 70 and the battery section 72, etc.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along line IIIB-IIIB of the e-vapingdevice of FIG. 3A.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the firstsection 70 may include a reservoir 345 configured to contain asubstance, such as a pre-vapor formulation, dry herbs, essential oils,etc., and a heater 14 that may vaporize the substance, which may bedrawn from the reservoir 345 by a wick 28.

In at least one example embodiment, the pre-vapor formulation is amaterial or combination of materials that may be transformed into avapor. For example, the pre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solidand/or gel formulation including, but not limited to, water, beads,solvents, active ingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural orartificial flavors, and/or vapor formers such as glycerin and propyleneglycol.

In at least one example embodiment, the first section 70 may include thehousing 6 extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube (orchimney) 62 coaxially positioned within the housing 6.

At an upstream end portion of the inner tube 62, a nose portion 61 of agasket (or seal) 15 may be fitted into the inner tube 62, while an outerperimeter of the gasket 15 may provide a seal with an interior surfaceof the outer housing 6. The gasket 15 may also include a central,longitudinal air passage 20, which opens into an interior of the innertube 62 that defines a central channel 21. A transverse channel 33 at abackside portion of the gasket 15 may intersect and communicate with theair passage 20 of the gasket 15. This transverse channel 33 assurescommunication between the air passage 20 and a space 35 defined betweenthe gasket 15 and a cathode connector piece 37.

In at least one example embodiment, the cathode connector piece 37 mayinclude a threaded section for effecting the connection between thefirst section 70 and the battery section 72. In at least one exampleembodiment, more than two air inlet ports 44 may be included in thehousing 6. Alternatively, a single air inlet port 44 may be included inthe outer housing 6. Such arrangement allows for placement of the airinlet ports 44 close to the connector 205 without occlusion by thepresence of the cathode connector piece 37. This arrangement may alsoreinforce the area of air inlet ports 44 to facilitate precise drillingof the air inlet ports 44.

In at least one example embodiments, the air inlet ports 44 may beprovided in the connector 205 instead of in the outer housing 6.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one air inlet port 44may be formed in the outer housing 6, adjacent the connector 205 tominimize the chance of an adult vaper's fingers occluding one of theports and to control the resistance-to-draw (RTD) during vaping. In anexample embodiment, the air inlet ports 44 may be machined into thehousing 6 with precision tooling such that their diameters may beclosely controlled and replicated from one e-vaping device 60 to thenext during manufacture.

In at least one example embodiment, a nose portion 93 of a downstreamgasket 10 may be fitted into a downstream end portion 81 of the innertube 62. An outer perimeter of the gasket 10 may provide a substantiallytight seal with an interior surface 97 of the housing 6. The downstreamgasket 10 may include a central channel 63 disposed between the innerpassage 21 of the inner tube 62 and the interior of a mouth-end insert8, which may transport the vapor from the inner passage 21 to themouth-end insert 8.

During vaping, pre-vapor formulation, or the like, may be transferredfrom the reservoir 345 to the proximity of the heater 14 via capillaryaction of the wick 28. The wick 28 may include at least a first endportion and a second end portion, which may extend into opposite sidesof the reservoir 345. The heater 14 may at least partially surround acentral portion of the wick 28 such that when the heater 14 isactivated, the pre-vapor formulation (or the like) in the centralportion of the wick 28 may be vaporized by the heater 14 to form avapor.

In at least one example embodiment, the heater 14 may include a wirecoil which at least partially surrounds the wick 28. The wire may be ametal wire and/or the heater coil may extend fully or partially alongthe length of the wick 28. The heater coil may further extend fully orpartially around the circumference of the wick 28. In some exampleembodiments, the heater coil 14 may or may not be in contact with thewick 28.

In at least one example embodiment, the heater 14 may heat pre-vaporformulation (or the like) in the wick 28 by thermal conduction.Alternatively, heat from the heater 14 may be conducted to the pre-vaporformulation (or the like) by means of a heat conductive element or theheater 14 may transfer heat to the incoming ambient air that is drawnthrough the e-vaping device 60 during vaping, which in turn heats thepre-vapor formulation (or the like) by convection.

It should be appreciated that, instead of using a wick 28, the heater 14may include a porous material which incorporates a resistance heaterformed of a material having an electrical resistance capable ofgenerating heat quickly.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the secondsection 72 of the e-vaping device 60 may include a puff sensor 16 (e.g.,a pressure sensor, a flow sensor, etc.) responsive to air drawn into thesecond section 72 via an air inlet port 44 a adjacent a free end or tipof the e-vaping device 60. The second section 72 may also include apower supply 1.

Additionally, the second section 72 of the e-vaping device 60 mayinclude a controller 45 and a battery monitoring unit (BMU) (not shown).In some example embodiments, the second section 72 may also include anexternal device input/output interface (not shown). The I/O interfacemay be a Bluetooth interface, for example.

The controller 45 includes a microprocessor, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, a heater control circuit, and/or acharge control circuit and may be connected to the puff sensor 16.

The controller 45 performs features of the second section 72, as well asthe entire e-vaping device 60, such as controlling the heater,interfacing with an external charger and monitoring the pressure withinthe e-vaping device 60 to determine whether an adult vaper has applied anegative pressure. Moreover, the controller 45 may determine whether anadult vaper has applied a positive pressure for a threshold time. Insuch an instance, the controller 45 may place the e-vaping device 60 ina disabled and/or hibernation mode (reduced power consumption and/orpreventing activation).

The controller 45 may be hardware, firmware, hardware executing softwareor any combination thereof. When the controller 45 is hardware, suchexisting hardware may include one or more Central Processing Units(CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs),application-specific-integrated-circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs) computers or the like configured as special purposemachines to perform the functions of the controller 45.

In the event where the controller 45 is at least one processor executingsoftware (e.g., computer readable instructions), the controller 45 isconfigured as a special purpose machine to execute the software, storedin the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, to perform thefunctions of the controller 45.

Upon completing the connection between the first section 70 and thesecond section 72, the power supply 1 may be electrically connectablewith the heater 14 of the first section 70 upon actuation of the puffsensor 16. Air is drawn primarily into the first section 70 through oneor more air inlets 44, which may be located along the housing or at theconnector 205.

The power supply 1 may include a battery arranged in the e-vaping device60. The power supply 1 may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of itsvariants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, thepower supply 1 may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmiumbattery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery or a fuelcell. The e-vaping device 60 may be usable by an adult vaper until theenergy in the power supply 1 is depleted or a minimum voltage cut-offlevel is achieved.

In at least one example embodiment, the power supply 1 may berechargeable and may include circuitry configured to allow the batteryto be chargeable by an external charging device. To recharge thee-vaping device 60, an USB charger or other suitable charger assemblymay be used in connection with a charging interface (not shown).Additionally, a host interface (not shown) configured to communicatewith an external computing device (e.g., the wearable simulation device300 (e.g., the vapor simulation headset), the vapor simulator computingdevice 500, etc.) using wired and/or wireless communications may also beincluded in the housing of the power supply 1.

Furthermore, the puff sensor 16 may be configured to sense an airpressure drop and initiate application of voltage from the power supply1 to the heater 14. The puff sensor 16 may also activate input/output(I/O) devices, such as a heater activation light 48 that is configuredto glow when the heater 14 is activated. The heater activation light 48may include a light-emitting diode (LED) and may be at an upstream endof the e-vaping device 60. Moreover, the heater activation light 48 maybe arranged to be visible to an adult vaper during vaping. In addition,the heater activation light 48 may be utilized for e-vaping systemdiagnostics or to indicate that recharging is in progress. The heateractivation light 48 may also be configured such that the adult vaper mayactivate and/or deactivate the heater activation light 48 for privacy.The heater activation light 48 may be on a tip end of the e-vapingdevice 60 or on a side of the housing 6.

In at least one example embodiment, the at least one air inlet 44 a maybe located adjacent the puff sensor 16, such that the puff sensor 16 maysense air flow indicative of an adult vaper taking a puff and activatesthe power supply 1 and the heater activation light 48 to indicate thatthe heater 14 is working. The heater activation light 48 may be locatedat and/or on the tip end of the e-vaping device. In other exampleembodiments, the heater activation light 48 may be located on a sideportion of the housing 6.

In at least one example embodiment, the first section 70 may bereplaceable. In other words, once the pre-vapor formulation, or othercontents, of the cartridge is depleted, only the first section 70 may bereplaced. An alternate arrangement may include an example embodimentwhere the entire e-vaping device 60 may be disposed once the reservoir345 is depleted. Additionally, according to at least one exampleembodiment, the first section 70 may also be configured so that thecontents of the cartridge may be re-fillable.

While FIGS. 3A and 3B depict example embodiments of an e-vaping device,the e-vaping device is not limited thereto, and may include additionaland/or alternative hardware configurations that may be suitable for thepurposes demonstrated. For example, the e-vaping device may include aplurality of additional or alternative elements, such as additional oralternative heating elements, reservoirs, batteries, etc. Additionally,while FIGS. 3A and 3B depict the example embodiment of the e-vapingdevice as being embodied in two separate housing elements, additionalexample embodiments may be directed towards an e-vaping device arrangedin a single housing, and/or in more than two housing elements.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for generating at least one audio signatureassociated with an adult vaper according to at least one exampleembodiment. FIGS. 8A to 8F illustrate example waveforms associated withthe methods of FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B according to some exampleembodiments.

According to at least one example embodiment, in operation S401, theadult vaper may create a personal profile for use with the vaporsimulation system using at least one computing device, such as apersonal computer, a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, a server, etc.).According to at least one example embodiment, the computing device maybe the simulation device 300, the vapor simulator 500, a separatecomputing device, etc. The personal profile may include personalinformation related to the adult vaper for use in verifying the identityand/or age of the adult vaper, such as the adult vaper's real name,personal address, email address, phone number, age, gender, occupation,biometric information of the adult vaper, such as fingerprint data,retinal data, facial data, voice imprint, etc., username, and/orpassword, that may be used to verify and/or authenticate the adultvaper. The personal profile may also include additional informationrelated to the adult vaper, such as the adult vaper's AR and/or VRpreference settings, the adult vaper's e-vaping preference settings,e-vaping devices that have been associated with and/or paired with thevapor simulation system, social media account information that the adultvaper intends to communicate with and/or associate with the vaporsimulation system, contact list information for connecting with otheradult vaper's vapor simulation system profiles, etc. According to someexample embodiments, if the adult vaper has previously created apersonal profile, the adult vaper may log into the personal profile byauthenticating and/or verifying his or her identity, for example byentering his or her username and password, biometric information, etc.

In operation S402, a recording is made of ambient noises present in arecording space that does not include audio related to an adult vapervaping is recorded using at least one computing device, such as apersonal computer, a laptop, a server, a smartphone, a tablet, etc., andan audio input device (e.g., a microphone, etc.). According to at leastone example embodiment, the computing device may be the simulationdevice 300, the vapor simulator 500, a separate computing device, etc.For example, the recording of the ambient noises may be recorded priorto, during, and/or subsequent to, a recording session of the adult vapervaping, so long as the recording of the ambient noises do not includethe recording of audio associated with the adult vaper vaping. Therecording of the ambient noise is preferably recorded in the same space(e.g., a recording studio, room, outdoor area, etc.) that the audiosignature of the adult vaper is to be recorded, but is not limitedthereto.

In operation S403, a vaping session of the adult vaper is recorded usingthe at least one computing device, e.g., the simulation device 300, thevapor simulator 500, a separate computing device, etc., and an audioinput device (e.g., a microphone, etc.), which may be part of thesimulation device 300, the vapor simulator 500, and/or separate device.According to at least one example embodiment, the adult vaper may engagein a desired vaping style and/or desired mouth opening state for thevaping session. For example, the adult vaper may record a plurality ofvaping sessions wherein the adult vaper is engaged in different vapingstyles. For example, recordings may include the adult vaper ejecting anormal amount of drawn vapor, ejecting a large amount of drawn vapor,ejecting a lesser amount of drawn vapor, the adult vapor ejecting usinga normal ejection velocity, using a low ejection velocity, using a highejection velocity, etc. Moreover, the adult vaper may also record vapingsessions based on different mouth opening states (e.g., ejecting vaporout of the left corner of the adult vaper's mouth, ejecting vapor out ofthe right corner of the adult vaper's mouth, etc.).

In operation S404, the computing device in certain example embodimentsgenerates an audio spectrum using fast Fourier transforms (FFT) andaudio signal processing based on the recorded audio signals of thevaping session (e.g., the audio signals of the adult vaper ejectingvapor in the desired vaping style and/or ejecting vapor based on thedesired mouth opening state). FIG. 8A is an illustration of an examplewaveform of the recorded vaping session audio spectrum. At this stage,the recorded audio signals are considered an unbiased audio spectrumthat may include ambient noises (e.g., background noises and/orundesired noises, etc.) that are unrelated to audio relevant to thevaping session of the adult vaper.

In operation S405, the computing device filters the ambient noises(e.g., removes, subtracts, etc.) out of the unbiased audio spectrumusing the recording of the ambient noises created in S402, such that therecorded audio signals related to the vaping session remain. Thecomputing device may filter the ambient noises based on previouslydetermined frequencies of the ambient noises from recordings of vapingsessions that are known to not include ambient noises (e.g., therecording created in S402), and/or audio frequency ranges that are knownto not be associated with a vaping session based on experimental data,and subtracting the audio frequency ranges associated with the ambientnoises from the unbiased audio spectrum in order to filter out theambient noises. The filtering of the ambient noises may be conductedusing well-known techniques.

For example, FIG. 8B is an illustration of an example waveform of theunbiased audio spectrum of the ambient noises that may have beenpreviously recorded, simultaneously recorded, subsequently recorded,separately recorded, etc., with the vaping session recording by thecomputing device that is known to not include audio signals related tothe ejection of drawn vapor (e.g., a recording of the adult vaper'senvironment when the adult vaper is not engaging in a vaping session).The computing device may determine frequencies associated with theambient noises based on the waveform of the unbiased audio spectrum ofthe ambient noises. Additionally, according to some example embodiments,the computing device may determine the frequencies associated with theambient noises based on experiential data. Once the computing device hasperformed the removal of the ambient noises from the generated audiospectrum in operation S405, a waveform such as the example in FIG. 8C,may be generated by the computing device.

In operation S406, the filtered (e.g., biased audio spectrum) audiospectrum of the vaping session may be normalized based on a histogramfrom histogram values 0 to 1 in order to facilitate a comparison of therecorded vaping session with future (e.g., real-time) recordings of theadult vaper vaping, such as the collected vapor ejection audio signalsof S504 of FIG. 5A. FIG. 8D is an illustration of an example waveform ofthe normalized audio spectrum.

Next, in S407, the computing device analyzes the normalized audiospectrum to determine the audio frequencies (and/or frequency ranges)that are associated with the desired vaping style and/or desired mouthopening state of the adult vaper for the recorded vaping session. Theanalysis of the normalized audio spectrum by the computing device mayinclude determining the audio frequencies and/or frequency ranges thatare most prevalent and/or distinguish the recording of the desiredvaping style and/or desired mouth opening state from other vaping stylesand/or mouth opening states within a desired degree of confidence. Forexample, the normalized audio spectrum may be compared to a baselineaudio signature of the adult vaper engaging in a desired and/or defaultvaping session (e.g., the adult vaper vaping a normal amount of vaporfor the adult vaper, and ejecting the vapor using a normal velocity forthe adult vaper, and ejecting the vapor out of the center of the adultvaper's mouth, etc.), and comparing the audio frequencies of the desiredand/or default vaping session with the normalized audio spectrum todetermine distinguishing differences between the audio spectrums.Additionally, the normalized audio spectrum may be compared againstother normalized audio spectrums associated with related desired vapingstyles (e.g., normalized audio spectrums associated with faster orslower vaping ejection velocities, etc.) and/or desired mouth openingstates (e.g., smaller or larger mouth opening states and/or ejectingvapor out of the left side or right side of the adult vaper's mouth,etc.). FIG. 8E is an example illustration of characteristic audiofrequencies associated with a desired vaping style and/or desired mouthopening state. In S408, the computing device determines whetheradditional audio data is desired, for example, if additional audiorecordings of the desired vaping style and/or desired mouth openingstate are desired to satisfy a desired degree of confidence, to improvethe quality of the audio signature of the desired vaping style and/ordesired mouth opening state, etc., based on adult vaper input (e.g., theadult vaper indicates that additional vaping styles and/or mouth openingstates audio signatures are desired), based on an administrator's input,based on review of the audio signatures recorded, and/or based ontesting of the audio signatures and statistical analysis of the resultsof the testing.

For example, the computing device may generate tests for the adult vaperto perform; wherein the adult vaper may be requested to perform one ormore vaping sessions corresponding to desired vaping styles and/ordesired mouth opening states to determine if the recorded audiosignatures can be used to detect the appropriate desired vaping styleand/or desired mouth opening state. After the test or during the test,the adult vaper and/or the administrator may indicate whether the vapingstyle and/or mouth opening state determined by the computing device wascorrect. If the test results are satisfactory and/or correct, noadditional data may be desired. If the test results are not satisfactoryand/or incorrect, additional data may be desired. If additional data isdesired, the method proceeds to S403. Optionally, if recordings ofadditional ambient noises and/or different ambient noises are desired,then the method proceeds to S402 instead. If no additional data isdesired, the method proceeds to S409.

In operation S409, the computing device may compile and store one ormore audio signatures (e.g., audio templates) associated with the adultvaper's desired vaping style and/or desired mouth opening in thepersonal profile associated with the adult vaper, along with othervaping preferences associated with the adult vaper's desired e-vapingdevice(s) (e.g., e-vaping device 200), software settings related to theAR and/or VR vapor simulation application, social media settings (e.g.,account login information, etc.), identity information (e.g., biometricdata, such as the adult vaper's fingerprints, voiceprints, facialrecognition information, etc.), age verification informationcorresponding to the adult vaper, etc. For example, the computing devicemay generate a software file that includes the previously recorded audiosignatures and/or audio templates (e.g., the audio signatures created inrelation to operations S403 to S406) to create a complete audiosignature of all of the various vaping styles of the adult vaper andstore the audio signature as a part of the adult vaper's personalprofile. The adult vaper personal profile may then be loaded into thesimulation device 300 and/or the vapor simulator 500 for use indetermining the vaping style and/or mouth opening state associated witha recording of the adult vaper, as discussed further with regards toFIGS. 5A and 5B.

FIG. 5A illustrates a method for generating a vapor simulation accordingto at least one example embodiment. FIG. 5B illustrates a method foranalyzing audio signals related to the drawn vapor to determine vaporcharacteristics related to the ejection of drawn vapor according to atleast one example embodiment. FIGS. 6A to 6J illustrates various examplefunctions used to calculate vapor particle characteristics according tosome example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5A, according to some example embodiments, one or moreadult vapers may connect or “pair” their e-vaping device 200 with asimulation device 300 that the adult vaper is wearing and/or otherwiseutilizing (in some example embodiments, the connection or pairing may beto a smartphone that forms part of the simulation device 300, asdescribed above). Once paired, in operation S501, the simulation device300 receives and/or detects drawing information corresponding to theadult vaper's operation of the e-vaping device 200. For example, thee-vaping device 200 may transmit information related to the operation ofthe e-vaping device 200 by the adult vaper, such as the start time of adrawing of vapor from the e-vaping device 200, the stop time of adrawing of vapor from the e-vaping device 200, the amount of pressureexhibited by the drawing operation, the volume of vapor flow, etc.,using various sensors, e.g., the puff sensor 16, etc., located on orattached to the e-vaping device 200, and/or from data transmitted by thecontroller 45 of the e-vaping device 200. Additionally, the camera 360of the simulation device 300 (and/or an external camera connected to thesimulation device 300 via a wired and/or wireless connection) may detectan I/O indicator located on the e-vaping device 200, such as the heateractivation light 48, that indicates that the adult vaper has engaged theheater of the e-vaping device 200 and/or is drawing vapor from thee-vaping device 200.

Once the drawing information related to the adult vaper's drawingoperation has been obtained by the simulation device 300, in operationS502, the simulation device 300 may determine and/or calculate drawingstatistics related to the vaping operation, such as the length of time,volume of vapor, etc., of the actual vapor drawn by the adult vaper.

In operation S503, head position information related to the 3D spatialposition of the adult vaper's head and/or eyes, and/or the 3D spatialposition of the simulation device 300 (e.g., the direction that theadult vaper's head/body is facing, the direction that the simulationdevice 300 is facing, the position of the adult vaper's body and/orsimulation device 300 in an environment and/or room, the adult vaper'sfield of view, etc.) is determined using an external camera(s) (e.g.,such as standard video cameras, stereoscopic cameras, time-of-flightcameras, etc.) (not shown) and/or gyroscopes, accelerometers, and otherposition-related sensors included in the simulation device 300. The 3Dspatial position information may be an absolute position or a relativeposition in reference to a specified origin point in the adult vaper'senvironment, a virtual 3D environment including a 3D virtual coordinatesystem for use in the vapor simulation, and/or the adult vaper's bodyand may be determined using well-known techniques.

In operation S504, vapor ejection audio signals and/or other datarelated to the ejection of the vapor by the adult vaper is collectedand/or recorded using the microphone 340, the camera 360, and/or sensorslocated on the simulation device 300, vapor simulator 500, and/or thee-vaping device 200. In operation S505, the simulation device 300 and/orvapor simulator 500 may analyze the collected vapor ejection audiosignals to determine ejection information of the vapor ejectionoperation, such as a start time of the ejection of the vapor, an endtime of the ejection of the vapor, an ejected vapor volume, an ejectedvapor velocity (or speed), and/or ejected vapor direction (absolute orrelative), ejected vapor density, the adult vaper's mouth shape, size,etc., when ejecting the vaper, vapor ejection strength, etc. Thecalculation of the ejection information may be performed using thecollected vapor ejection audio signals and previously recorded audiosignatures associated with the personal profile of the adult vaper(e.g., the personal profile generated in S409 of FIG. 4). For example,the adult vaper may have previously recorded vapor ejection audio in atest environment and/or controlled environment to generate an audiosignature and/or audio template related to the adult vaper's vapingstyle that is used by the simulation device 300 and/or the vaporsimulator 500 to determine the ejection information of the ejectedvapor. Additionally, the at least one vaping audio signature associatedwith the adult vaper may be used to calibrate the simulation device 300and/or the vapor simulator 500. The audio analysis of the collectedvapor ejection audio signals to determine vapor characteristics isdiscussed in greater detail in connection with FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5B illustrates a method for analyzing audio signals related to thedrawn vapor to determine vapor characteristics related to the ejectionof drawn vapor according to at least one example embodiment.

According to at least one example embodiment, in operation S531, acomputing device (e.g., the simulation device 300, the vapor simulator500, etc.) may record audio signals during the ejection of the drawnvapor the same as or similar to the audio signals recorded in operationS504 of FIG. 5A and/or S402 of FIG. 4. For example, the computing devicemay generate an audio spectrum of the recorded audio signal of theejection of the drawn vapor using fast Fourier transforms (FFT) andaudio signal processing, such as the example waveform of FIG. 8A. Thecomputing device may use the recorded audio spectrum to indirectlydetermine various drawing information corresponding to the vapor drawnfrom the e-vaping device 200 based on the previously recorded audiosignatures and/or audio templates associated with the adult vaperincluded in the adult vaper's personal profile by correlating (e.g.,comparing, determining, matching, etc.) the current recorded audiospectrum with the audio signatures and/or audio templates stored in theadult vaper's personal profile. In other words, the computing device canuse the recorded audio signals as a surrogate for the vapor drawn fromthe e-vaping device and vaping characteristics and/or properties of thedrawn vapor may be calculated based on the surrogate audio signals. Therecorded audio signals may be considered unbiased audio spectrum thatinclude audio signals related to the adult vaper's ejection of the drawnvapor as well as ambient background noise.

Next, in operation S532, the computing device may remove (e.g.,subtract, filter, etc.) ambient background noise from the unbiased audiospectrum, thereby generating a filtered (e.g., biased) audio spectrum,such as the example waveform of FIG. 8C. The frequencies of the ambientbackground noise(s) may be determined based on previously recorded audiothat is known to not contain audio signals related to ejection of drawnvapor (e.g., example waveform of FIG. 8B), or may be based onexperiential data (not shown). In operation S533, the filtered (e.g.,biased audio spectrum) audio signals are normalized based on a histogramfrom histogram values 0 to 1, such as the example waveform of FIG. 8D.According to some example embodiments, the biased audio spectrum isnormalized to the same histogram as the audio signatures of the adultvaper's personal profile to facilitate analysis and/or comparisonbetween the audio signatures of the adult vaper and the recorded audiospectrum. In operation S534, the computing device compares the recordednormalized audio signals against previously recorded audio signaturesand/or audio templates stored in the personal profile of the adult vaperto determine the vaping style and/or mouth opening state associated withthe ejection of the drawn vapor. In other words, the computing devicematches, fits, associates (and/or generate results based on) therecorded normalized audio signal with at least one audio signatureassociated with the adult vaper. For example, the adult vaper's personalprofile includes previously recorded audio signatures and/or templates(e.g., the characteristic audio frequencies) associated with the adultvaper performing a long, slow ejection of the drawn vapor, a short,strong ejection of the drawn vapor, ejection of the drawn vapor througha corner of the adult vaper's mouth, ejecting the drawn vapor to createvapor rings, etc., as discussed in connection with FIG. 4, and may formthe audio signature related to the adult vaper's vaping style and/ormouth opening state. As an example, waveform 810 FIG. 8F illustrates anexample audio signature associated with an adult vaper and waveform 820of FIG. 8F illustrates an example recorded normalized audio signalassociated with the adult vaper.

In operation S535, the computing device may correlate (e.g., compare,match, etc.) the audio signature(s) of the adult vaper included in thepersonal profile to the recorded normalized audio signals to determinewhether enough (e.g., a threshold amount of) audio spectrumcharacteristics are present in the recorded normalized audio signal todetermine whether (and/or confirm that) the adult vaper is performing anvapor ejection operation and determine that the recorded normalizedaudio signal is not a “false positive” recording of noise (e.g., ambientnoise) that may not be related to the ejection of the drawn vapor.Examples of a false positive recording may be a recording of the adultvaper exhaling air, talking, etc. As another example, the computingdevice may determine that the recorded normalized audio signal does notinclude enough audio spectrum characteristics similar to the ejection ofdrawn vapor based on a comparison of the recorded normalized audiosignal and the stored audio signatures of the personal profile, andtherefore is not related to the ejection of drawn vapor by the adultvaper. The correlation (e.g., a statistical correlation, etc.) mayinclude the determination that the recorded normalized audio signal doesnot match (e.g., data points of the recorded normalized audio signal isnot statistically similar enough within a desired threshold value) datapoints of any of the audio signatures associated with the adult vaper'spersonal profile. Additionally, the computing device may also analyzethe recorded normalized audio signal against generic audio templatesassociated with an “average” and/or “composite” adult vaper profile todetermine whether the recorded normalized audio signal is related to theejection of drawn vapor. For example, the generic audio template may begenerated by the computing device based on an averaging of a pluralityof adult vaper audio signatures, etc. As shown in example waveforms 810and 820 of FIG. 8F, the computing device may determine that the noiserecorded on the left side of waveform 810 does not match an audiosignature of the adult vaper in comparison to the audio signature 820,but that the noise recorded on the right side of waveform 810 matchesthe audio signature 820 based on similarities of the characteristicaudio frequencies of the two waveforms.

If the computing device determines that the adult vaper is not ejectingdrawn vapor, the method returns to operation S501 of FIG. 5A. If thecomputing device determines that the adult vaper is ejecting drawnvapor, in operation S536, various ejection vapor characteristics of theejected vapor are determined.

For example, the strength of the ejection (Sejct) may be calculatedbased on the following equation in at least one example embodiment:

Sejct=(maxVal−Min)/(Max−Min) if maxVal>Min  (1)

where maxVal=the maximum value encountered in the current histogram,Min=10% of the maximum encountered in the recorded templates for theadult vaper, and Max=110% of the maximum encountered in the recordedtemplates for the adult vaper, in at least one example embodiment.

Additionally, other vaping characteristics of the ejected vapor may bedetermined as well, such as the vapor ejection velocity, the directionof the ejection of the drawn vapor, the ejected vapor density, the shapeof the adult vaper's mouth while ejecting the drawn vapor, various vaporflowtype measurements, such as the vapor flowrate, etc.

For example, physical constants related to the flow rate of a drawingoperation and the dissipation of vapor during the drawing operation maybe defined as desired constant values, e.g., 17.5 cc/s for the flow rateof the drawing operation and 3 cc/s for the vapor dissipation constantvalue, in at least one example embodiment. The physical constants may bedetermined based on experiments conducted by the adult vaper, based onaverage values of a plurality of adult vapers, etc. Using these definedconstant values, a total volume of vapor for the ejection operation maybe calculated using the following equations in at least one exampleembodiment:

Vdrw=∫Sdrw*Cdrw dt  (2)

Vdiss=∫Cdiss dt  (3)

Vejct=∫bmQejct(Sejct)dt  (4)

Vsum=Vdrw+Vdiss+Vejct  (5)

where Vdrw=the volume of vapor drawn during the drawing operation,Sdrw=the strength of the drawing operation, Cdrw=the constant value ofthe flowrate of the drawing operation, Vdiss=the volume of vapordissipation during the drawing operation, Cdiss=the vapor dissipationconstant value, Vejct=the total volume of ejected vapor during theejection operation, bmQejct=the volumetric flowrate of the ejected vapordependent on the area of the mouth opening of the adult vaper,Sejct=strength of the ejection operation, and Vsum=the total volume ofall vapor drawn during operation of the e-vaping device by the adultvaper, according to at least one example embodiment.

Using the calculated variables above, ejected vapor characteristics maybe determined. For example, the emission speed and the area (e.g., size)of the mouth opening of the adult vaper may be calculated using thefollowing equations in at least one example embodiment:

vVapor=Qejct/Amouth  (6)

Amouth=PI*(bmMouth(fMouth)/2)  (7)

where vVapor=velocity of the ejected vapor, Qejct=volumetric flowrate ofthe ejected vapor, which may be a constant value, Amouth=the area of themouth of the adult vaper, bmMouth=the width of the mouth opening of theadult vaper, and fMouth=the normalized mouth opening state of the adultvaper (e.g., the range may be from 0 and 1), according to at least oneexample embodiment.

As another example, the shape of the adult vaper's mouth during ejectionmay be determined based on comparison of the current histogram and therecorded audio templates of the personal profile associated with thevarious mouth shapes of the adult vaper (e.g., ejecting vapor from theleft side of the mouth, right side of the mouth, while blowing vaporrings, etc.). Once a relevant match is found among the recorded audiotemplates, a weighted interpolation of the associated template mouthopening value is calculated using the following equations:

W _(i)=(ErrorThres−Error_(i))/Sum(ErrorThres−Error_(j)) and  (8)

fMouth=Sum(W _(i) *fMouthTemplate_(i))  (9)

where ErrorThres is an error threshold value, Error_(i) is the errorrate of the weighted interpolation i, and Error_(j) is the error rate ofthe current histogram. More specifically, the Error_(i) and theError_(j) variables are error rate variables associated with thematching of each exhalation sound signal histogram against the recordedaudio templates, according to at least one example embodiment.

Once the vaping characteristics of the ejected vapor have beencalculated, the computing device transmits the vaping characteristics tothe particle generator 322 (e.g., operation S506 of FIG. 5A) todetermine the vapor particle characteristics for the 3D image vaporparticle model, and the method for generating a vapor simulationaccording to FIG. 5A continues.

Referring back to FIG. 5A, once the ejected vapor characteristics (e.g.,vaping characteristics) are determined, in operation S506, the particlegenerator 322 analyzes the ejected vapor characteristics to determinevarious vapor particle characteristics of the ejected vapor to be usedto generate the vapor particle model for the AR and/or VR simulation.The particle generator 322 analyzes the ejected vapor characteristics todetermine the vapor particle characteristics, such as the expected vaporparticle lifespan for individual vapor particles, vapor dispersalamount, vapor particle ejection angle, vapor particle rotation, vaporparticle 3D position (absolute or relative) in relation to the 3Dvirtual coordinate system of the 3D model (e.g., virtual coordinateinformation of the vapor particles), vapor particle size, vapor particledensity, etc., based on the drawn and/or ejected vapor characteristicsand previously experientially observed, collected, analyzed and modeleddata regarding ejected vapor characteristics using mathematicalequations, physical models related to ejected vapor characteristics,and/or well-known techniques.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A to 6J, FIGS. 6A to 6J illustrates variousexample functions used by the computing device to calculate the vaporparticle characteristics for individual vapor particles (e.g., vaporparticle characteristics) according to some example embodiments. Theexample functions may be used by the particle generator 322 to calculatevalues for various vapor characteristics for individual vapor particles(e.g., variables) using ejection vapor characteristics as inputs. Thevapor particle characteristics may be included in a 3D vapor model, butthe example embodiments are not limited thereto and may includeadditional functions and/or vapor characteristics and/or less functionsand/or vapor characteristics for the generation of a 3D vapor model. Forexample, function 6A is an example model that may be used fordetermining the vapor ejection volume flow (Qejct) based on adetermination of the measured ejection strength (Sejct) over time. Thecalculation of the measured ejection strength (Sejct) is discussed ingreater detail in connection with FIG. 5A. Additionally, function 6B isan example model for determining the ejection angle of a vapor particleover time based on a calculated ejection velocity according to at leastone example embodiment. Function 6C is an example model for determiningan ejection rate in vapor particles per second based on a max ejectionvelocity of the vapor according to at least one example embodiment.Function 6D is an example model for calculating a lifetime of one ormore individual vapor particles according to at least one exampleembodiment. Function 6E is an example model for calculating the densityof the vapor particles over the velocity (e.g., speed) of the vaporparticles. Function 6F is related to the calculation of the density ofthe vapor particles based on the volume of the drawn vapor by the adultvaper according to at least one example embodiment. Function 6G is anexample function related to the calculation of the velocity scale factorover the lifetime of a vapor particle that is based on the dissipationrate of the vapor particle. Function 6H is an example model of thechange in vapor scale over the lifetime of the vapor particle based onthe ejection velocity of the vapor according to some exampleembodiments. Function 6I is an example model of the effect of gravity onthe scale of the vapor particles over time according to at least oneexample embodiment. Function 6J illustrates an example model of therotation speed range over the scale of the vapor particles according tosome example embodiments. The various example models may be generatedbased on experiential data and/or user preferences (e.g., based on adultvaper preferences regarding the modeling of the 3D vapor particles) andare not limited to the illustrations shown in FIGS. 6A to 6J. Referringback to FIG. 5A, in operation S507, the 3D vapor simulator 321 receivesthe calculated vapor particle characteristics from the particlegenerator 322 and generates (e.g., generates once and/or continuouslygenerates, calculates in real-time, etc.) a 3D image vapor particlemodel based on the vapor characteristics and/or the vapor particlecharacteristics. According to some example embodiments, the generated 3Dimage vapor particle model may include individually generated particlesthat each have individual particle model characteristics. The individualparticles of the particle model may each have different particlelifespans, dispersal rates, ejection angles, rotations, positions, size,density, velocities, etc., based on the generated 3D image vaporparticle model. For example, a generated vapor particle located on theoutside of the generated vapor cloud model may have a slower velocity,shorter lifespan, greater ejection angle, greater ejection spin, etc.,than a generated vapor particle located in the center of the generatedvapor cloud model according to some example embodiments.

According to some example embodiments, the 3D vapor simulator 321 maygenerate a plurality of vapor particles (e.g., a vapor cloud) inreal-time, pre-calculate, and/or on demand for each individual vaporparticle based on the calculated vapor particle characteristics. Forexample, the vapor particle characteristics may include variables and/orparameters for each vapor particle of the 3D image vapor particle model,such as a velocity factor (rendering units/second), a scaling factor(particle scale/second), a rotation speed (degrees/second), a position(X, Y, Z coordinates/second) relative to the 3D virtual coordinatesystem of the 3D vapor particle environment, a density, etc. Theparameters for each vapor particle may be set to a desired factor (e.g.,velocity factor, scaling factor, etc.), set within a desired range(e.g., ejection angle, ejection rate, particle lifetime, ejectiondensity, etc.), and/or calculated based on a generated function (e.g., agraph, curve, etc.) from experiential data associated with observedvapor characteristics. Additionally, various parameters (e.g., vaporparticle size, vapor particle size change over time, density overscale/distance, gravity over scale/distance, rotation overscale/distance, etc.) may be input into a function (e.g., fit to acurve, etc.) based on the experiential data, such as recorded audiotemplates and/or audio signatures associated with the adult vaper,experiential data obtained through scientific observations of vaporcharacteristics, etc.

The 3D vapor simulator 321 may use the results of one or more of thesevapor parameters may (in real-time) to determine the vaporcharacteristics as a function of time and/or distance, and/or subject toother variables (e.g., environmental variables), such as ambient airtemperature, air turbulence, physical objects, etc., and may be used togenerate the 3D vapor particle model. Additionally, according to someexample embodiments, the 3D vapor simulator 321 may generate the 3Dvapor particle model in real-time and/or continuously in order togenerate and/or render the vapor particle images. The individualgenerated vapor particle images and/or the vapor cloud image may berendered by the 3D vapor simulator 321 using vapor texture dataassociated with a desired vapor design (e.g., base images associatedwith various vapor designs) using well-known computer graphicstechniques. For example, the vapor particle images and/or the vaporcloud image may be rendered using computer graphics renderingapplication programming interfaces (APIs) or AR/VR programmingframeworks capable of generating images for AR and/or VR environments,such as DirectX, Direct3D, OpenGL, Vulkan, OpenVR, Unity, Unreal, etc.

Additionally, the desired vapor design may correspond to the actualformulation (e.g., pre-vapor formulation, pre-dispersion formulation,etc.) that is being heated and/or vaporized by the e-vaping device 200,a vapor design selected by adult vaper, etc. Elements of the vapordesign that may be configured include the visual appearance of anindividual vapor particle, the color of the individual vapor particle,the opacity/transparency of the individual vapor particle, etc.

Next, in operation S508, the 3D vapor simulator 321 provides and/ortransmits the generated 3D vapor particle model to the AR simulator 323and/or the VR simulator 324 based on the operation mode and/or hardwarecapabilities of the simulation device 300 for display by the simulationdevice 300. If the simulation device 300 is operating in AR mode (and/oris an AR headset or AR glasses), the AR simulator will superimpose thegenerated 3D vapor particle model on the real-time environment of theadult vaper as presented through the simulation device 300. In otherwords, using AR glasses as an example, the AR glasses may provide aclear unobstructed view of the adult vaper's present environment (e.g.,the room or other physical space that the adult vaper is occupying). Thegenerated 3D vapor particle model is then overlaid and/or projected ontothe adult vaper's environment using the AR glasses as a 2D or 3D imageon the AR glasses in real-time, with real-time and/or static modeling ofthe generated vapor particles and/or generated ejected vapor cloud. Forexample, FIG. 7A illustrates an example of an AR environment with agenerated 3D vapor particle model superimposed on a stereoscopicdisplay. Element 711 illustrates the real-time environment of the adultvaper in the left and right views of the stereoscopic display, e.g.,display 370, and element 712 illustrates the generated 3D vapor cloudcorresponding to the 3D vapor particle model. The AR simulator 323 maysuperimpose the 3D vapor particle model onto the AR environment usingwell-known techniques, such as using AR-related computer graphics APIssuitable for rendering AR environments, such as DirectX, OpenGL, etc.

Alternatively, according to some example embodiments, the 3D vaporsimulator 321 may provide and/or transmit a pre-rendered vapor particlemodel to the AR simulator 323 and/or the VR simulator 324 (e.g., astatic vapor particle model) and the pre-rendered vapor particle modelmay be super-imposed on the real-time environment of the adult vaper aspresented through the simulation device 300 and/or a 2D or 3D VRenvironmental image as presented through the simulation device 300. Thepre-rendered vapor particle model may include pre-rendered and/or statictexture data and/or images of one or more vapor particles that comprisethe vapor particle model without performing the real-time and/orcontinuous calculation of the 3D vapor particle model. The 3D vaporsimulator 321 may provide the pre-rendered vapor particle model to theAR simulator 323 and/or the VR simulator 324 based on adult vaperpreferences stored in the personal profile, software settings associatedwith the simulation device 300 and/or vapor simulator 500, and/or basedon the hardware resources and/or hardware capability of the simulationdevice 300 and/or vapor simulator 500. For example, the 3D vaporsimulator 321 may determine that the CPU and/or memory resourcesavailable on the simulation device 300 and/or vapor simulator 500 do notadequately support real-time generation of the 3D vapor particle model(e.g., generate the 3D vapor particle model sufficiently to support adesired display framerate for the AR and/or VR simulation, etc.), andtherefore, may selectively transmit the pre-rendered vapor particlemodel to the AR simulator 323 and/or the VR simulator 324. The selectiveusage of the pre-rendered vapor particle model may be based on thereal-time hardware resource allocation of the simulation device 300and/or vapor simulator 500, and the 3D vapor simulator 321 may end theuse of the pre-rendered vapor particle model when the 3D vapor particlemodel determines that the current hardware resource allocation of the ARsimulator 323 and/or the VR simulator 324 can support the real-timegeneration of the 3D vapor particle model.

Further, the real-time head position (e.g., spatial information) of theadult vaper and/or the simulation device 300 (e.g., the position of theadult vaper's face, the position of the simulation device 300, the fieldof view, etc.) at the time of the actual ejection operation is takeninto account in the real-time 3D position modeling of the generatedvapor particles and the real-time simulated location of the generatedvapor particles are presented in the AR image. For example, if the adultvaper at the time of the physical vapor ejection operation is lookingstraight ahead, but then turns his or her head while the vapor cloud isbeing ejected, the position of the generated 3D vapor particles in theAR image is updated to reflect that some or all of the 3D vaporparticles may or may not still be in the adult vaper's field of view.Further, additional data may be collected of the adult vaper'senvironment, such as real-time camera images and/or real-time sensorreadings of the adult vaper's environment (e.g., furniture, physicalfeatures, other adult vapers, wind currents, temperature, etc.) and theadditional data may be input into the 3D position modeling in the 3Dvirtual coordinate system of the generated vapor particles and thegenerated vapor particles may be programmed to simulate interaction withthe adult vaper's real-time environment as well (e.g., dispersing aroundphysical objects in the environment, being affected by wind in theenvironment, simulating additional 3D vapor particles coming from theother adult vapers, etc.). Additionally, the simulation device 300 mayact in a simulated AR mode, where the adult vaper may not be able tophysically view his or her physical environment (e.g., when thesimulation device 300 is an enclosed headset). The simulation device 300may provide a real-time camera image (e.g., pass-through image) of theadult vaper's actual environment and overlay and/or project the ARsimulation on top of the environment image.

Similarly, in operation S509, when the simulation device 300 is in theVR operation mode (e.g., the simulation device 300 is a VR headset), theadult vaper may be presented with a 2D or 3D VR environmental image. Theenvironmental image may be a 2D or 3D photo or video of an environmentthat has been selected by the adult vaper and/or an environment of theadult vaper's choice, such as an ocean view from a ship, a mountainlodge, a beach scene, the inside of a space ship, a famous landmark(e.g., the top of the Eiffel Tower, on the Golden Gate Bridge, at theTower of London, etc.) etc., a computer generated 2D or 3D image ormodel of the environment, and/or may be a computer generatedvirtualization of the adult vaper's current environment. The VRenvironmental image may be pre-generated by a computing device, such asthe vapor simulator 500, the simulation device 300, and/or othercomputing device, and stored in the VR simulator 324, or maybe generatedin real-time by the vapor simulator 500 and/or the simulation device300. The VR simulator 324 may generate the VR environmental image and/orthe 3D vapor particle model using well-known techniques, such as usingVR-related computer graphics APIs suitable for rendering VRenvironments, such as DirectX, OpenGL, etc. The generated vaporparticles may be inserted into the 2D or 3D VR environment, and thegenerated vapor particles may simulate the vapor ejection operationsimilar to the AR simulation discussed above.

For example, FIG. 7B illustrates an environment for a VR simulation. Asseen in FIG. 7B, the VR environment may be a photorealistic view of aship, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto. FIG. 7Cillustrates the 3D vapor particle model superimposed on the VRenvironment of FIG. 7B.

Additionally, the environment image may be set as a preference in theadult vaper's profile settings, or may be selected by the adult vaperduring operation of the simulation device 300.

While various formulas have been provided above, the example embodimentsare not limited thereto and other formulas and variable settings may beused to calculate the characteristics of the ejection of the drawn vaporand the particle characteristics.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustrationand description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thedisclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular exampleembodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but,where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selectedembodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same mayalso be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as adeparture from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for generating a vaping simulation, thedevice comprising: a memory having stored thereon computer readableinstructions; and at least one processor configured to execute thecomputer readable instructions to, receive audio signals related tovaping of an e-vaping device from a microphone, determine vapingcharacteristics of the vaping based on the audio signals, generate avaping simulation based on the determined vaping characteristics, andtransmit the generated vaping simulation to a headset to be displayed ona display panel included in the headset.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute thecomputer readable instructions to: receive sensor information related tothe vaping of the e-vaping device from sensors of the e-vaping device;and wherein the determining the vaping characteristics of the vaping isfurther based on the sensor information.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute thecomputer readable instructions to: determine spatial positioninformation of the headset, the spatial position information includingfield of view information associated with the headset; and wherein thegenerating the vaping simulation is further based on the determinedspatial position information.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein thedisplay panel is a screen installed in the headset.
 5. The device ofclaim 3, wherein the display panel is a screen of a smart device.
 6. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the display panel includes at least one lens.7. The device of claim 1, wherein the headset includes a smart device;and the at least one processor and a memory are included in the smartdevice.
 8. The device of claim 2, wherein the received sensorinformation includes sensor information corresponding to a drawing ofvapor from the e-vaping device; and the received audio signals includesaudio signals corresponding to ejection of the drawn vapor recorded bythe microphone.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the determined vapingcharacteristics include at least one of vaping duration, vapor ejectionvelocity, vapor direction, vapor density, or vapor particle life. 10.The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configuredto execute the computer readable instructions to determine the vapingcharacteristics by: generating an audio spectrum of the received audiosignals; normalizing the audio spectrum; correlating the normalizedaudio spectrum to at least one template audio spectrum of a plurality ofaudio spectrums; and determining the vaping characteristics of the audiosignals based on the correlated normalized audio spectrum.
 11. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to execute the computer readable instructions to: determinevapor volume information and strength of ejection information based onthe determined vaping characteristics.
 12. The device of claim 3,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to execute thecomputer readable instructions to generate the vaping simulation by:calculating a vapor model for the vaping simulation based on adetermination of vapor volume information, a determination of strengthof ejection information, and the determined vaping characteristics;calculating virtual coordinate information of the calculated vapor modelbased on the determined vaping characteristics and the determinedspatial position information of the headset, the determined spatialposition information including spatial position informationcorresponding to a time when ejection of drawn vapor occurred andspatial position information corresponding to a time subsequent to theejection of the drawn vapor; and generating the vaping simulation basedon the calculated vapor model and the calculated virtual coordinateinformation.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to execute the computer readableinstructions to transmit the generated vaping simulation to the headsetsuch that the generated vaping simulation is displayed in an augmentedreality (AR) mode, the AR mode including superimposing the generatedvaping simulation over the headset's environment.
 14. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured toexecute the computer readable instructions to transmit the generatedvaping simulation to the headset such that the generated vapingsimulation is displayed in a virtual reality (VR) mode, the VR modeincluding displaying the generated vaping simulation in a generatedvirtual environment.
 15. The device of claim 2, wherein the sensors ofthe e-vaping device includes at least one of a Bluetooth sensor, a lightsensor, a flow sensor, or a pressure sensor; the at least one processoris further configured to execute the computer readable instructions toreceive the sensor information related to the vaping of the e-vapingdevice such that data is received from the at least one of the Bluetoothsensor, the light sensor, the flow sensor, or the pressure sensor, thereceived data indicating a duration of time that the e-vaping device isengaged; and the determined vaping characteristics includes the receiveddata.
 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a camera configuredto obtain an image of an adult vaper; and wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to execute the computer readableinstructions to, receive the image of the adult vaper from the camera,determine an identity of the adult vaper based on the received image,and load personalized vaping parameters based on the determinedidentity.
 17. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an olfactorystimulation device configured to produce an aroma or fragrance.
 18. Thedevice of claim 17, wherein the olfactory stimulation device is furtherconfigured to produce the aroma or fragrance based on personalizedvaping parameters.
 19. A system for generating a vaping simulation, thesystem comprising: a headset including at least one display panel; amemory having stored thereon computer readable instructions; and atleast one processor configured to execute the computer readableinstructions to, receive audio signals related to vaping of an e-vapingdevice from a microphone, determine vaping characteristics of the vapingbased on the audio signals, generate a vaping simulation based on thedetermined vaping characteristics, and transmit the generated vapingsimulation to the headset to be displayed on the at least one displaypanel.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions to:receive sensor information related to the vaping of the e-vaping devicefrom sensors of the e-vaping device; and wherein the determining thevaping characteristics of the vaping is further based on the sensorinformation.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to execute the computer readableinstructions to: determine spatial position information of the headset,the spatial position information including field of view informationassociated with the headset; and wherein the generating the vapingsimulation is further based on the determined spatial positioninformation.
 22. The system of claim 19, wherein the display panel is ascreen installed in the headset.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein thedisplay panel is a screen of a smart device.
 24. The system of claim 19,wherein the display panel includes at least one lens.
 25. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the headset includes the memory and the at least oneprocessor.
 26. The system of claim 19, wherein the headset includes asmart device; and the at least one processor and a memory are includedin the smart device.
 27. The system of claim 19, further comprising: atleast one computer including the memory and the at least one processor,the at least one computer connected to the headset over a network. 28.The system of claim 20, wherein the received sensor information includessensor information corresponding to a drawing of vapor from the e-vapingdevice; and the received audio signals include audio signalscorresponding to ejection of the drawn vapor recorded by the microphone.29. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to execute the computer readable instructions todetermine the vaping characteristics by: generating an audio spectrum ofthe received audio signals; normalizing the audio spectrum; correlatingthe normalized audio spectrum to at least one template audio spectrum ofa plurality of audio spectrums; and determining the vapingcharacteristics of the audio signals based on the correlated normalizedaudio spectrum.
 30. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to execute the computer readableinstructions to: determine vapor volume information and strength ofejection information based on the determined vaping characteristics. 31.The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to execute the computer readable instructions to generate thevaping simulation by: calculating a vapor model for the vapingsimulation based on the determined vapor volume information, thedetermined strength of ejection information, and the determined vapingcharacteristics; calculating virtual coordinate information of thecalculated vapor model based on the determined vaping characteristicsand determination of spatial position information of the headset, thedetermined spatial position information including spatial positioninformation corresponding to a time when ejection of drawn vaporoccurred and spatial position information corresponding to a timesubsequent to the ejection of the drawn vapor; and generating the vapingsimulation based on the calculated vapor model and the calculatedvirtual coordinate information.
 32. The system of claim 19, wherein theat least one processor is further configured to execute the computerreadable instructions to transmit the generated vaping simulation to theheadset such that: the generated vaping simulation is displayed in anaugmented reality (AR) mode, the AR mode including superimposing thegenerated vaping simulation over the headset's environment.
 33. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to execute the computer readable instructions to transmit thegenerated vaping simulation to the headset such that: the generatedvaping simulation is displayed in a virtual reality (VR) mode, the VRmode including displaying the generated vaping simulation in a generatedvirtual environment.
 34. The system of claim 20, wherein: the sensors ofthe e-vaping device includes at least one of a Bluetooth sensor, a lightsensor, a flow sensor, or a pressure sensor; the at least one processoris further configured to execute the computer readable instructions toreceive the sensor information related to the vaping of the e-vapingdevice such that data is received from the at least one of the Bluetoothsensor, the light sensor, the flow sensor, or the pressure sensor, thereceived data indicating a duration of time that the e-vaping device isengaged; and the determined vaping characteristics includes the receiveddata.
 35. The system of claim 19, further comprising: a cameraconfigured to obtain an image of an adult vaper; and wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to execute the computerreadable instructions to, receive the image of the adult vaper from thecamera, determine an identity of the adult vaper based on the receivedimage, and load personalized vaping parameters based on the determinedidentity.
 36. The system of claim 19, further comprising: an olfactorystimulation device configured to produce an aroma or fragrance.
 37. Thesystem of claim 36, wherein the olfactory stimulation device is furtherconfigured to produce the aroma or the fragrance based on personalizedvaping parameters.
 38. A method for generating a vaping simulation, themethod comprising: receiving, using at least one processor, audiosignals related to vaping of an e-vaping device from a microphone;determining, using the at least one processor, vaping characteristics ofthe vaping based on the audio signals; generating, using the at leastone processor, a vaping simulation based on the determined vapingcharacteristics; and transmitting, using the at least one processor, thegenerated vaping simulation to a headset to be displayed on a displaypanel included in the headset.
 39. The method of claim 38, furthercomprising: receiving, using the at least one processor, sensorinformation related to the vaping of the e-vaping device from sensors ofthe e-vaping device; and wherein the determining the vapingcharacteristics of the vaping is further based on the sensorinformation.
 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising:determining, using the at least one processor, spatial positioninformation of the headset, the spatial position information includingfield of view information associated with the headset; and wherein thegenerating the vaping simulation is further based on the determinedspatial position information.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein theheadset includes a smart device; and the at least one processor and amemory are included in the smart device.
 42. A non-transitory computerreadable medium including computer readable instructions, which whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:receive audio signals related to vaping of an e-vaping device from amicrophone; determine vaping characteristics of the vaping based on theaudio signals; generate a vaping simulation based on the determinedvaping characteristics, and transmit the generated vaping simulation toa headset to be displayed on a display panel included in the headset.43. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 42, wherein theat least one processor is further caused to: receive sensor informationrelated to the vaping of the e-vaping device from sensors of thee-vaping device; and wherein the determining the vaping characteristicsof the vaping is further based on the sensor information.
 44. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 42, wherein the atleast one processor is further caused to: determine spatial positioninformation of the headset, the spatial position information includingfield of view information associated with the headset; and wherein thegenerating the vaping simulation is further based on the determinedspatial position information.
 45. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 42, wherein the headset includes a smart device; and theat least one processor and a memory are included in the smart device.